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The Catholic Church is on the verge of a new springtime. The dreadful culture of clericalism no longer holds with ordinary folk and Pope Francis is offering a new inclusive, merciful model of Church which is bringing about a renewal for the faithful.

Midlands priest Fr Paddy Byrne has become one of Ireland’s top advocates for this model of mercy. Known as a prodigious tweeter, blogger and social justice campaigner, Fr Byrne has long been outspoken in his progressive views about how the Church hierarchy should become a more radical voice in Irish society. In his first book he draws on his years of parish ministry and pastoral care to outline the challenges we face, while offering hope and inspiration through reflections, stories, parables and prayers to help readers to overcome life’s obstacles and lead them towards what he sees as a positive future.

Fr Paddy Byrne is a curate in Portlaoise Parish in Co. Laois. At the time of his ordination in 2001, he became the youngest priest in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin. His first appointment was to Newbridge parish in Co. Kildare and he also served in Bagnelstown in Co. Carlow. For the past 10 years, he has been a columnist for The Laois and Carlow Nationalist and a regular contributor to other local and national media.